R.J. Umbergerhttp://www.usahockeymagazine.com/taxonomy/term/573/all
enA Few Minutes With R.J. Umbergerhttp://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/few-minutes-rj-umberger
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/author/mark-j-burns">Mark J. Burns</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/a-few-minutes-q-and-a.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-_original " width="525" height="136" /></span></p>
<p><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><strong>Editor&rsquo;s Note:</strong> Throughout the 2014-15 NHL season, USA Hockey Magazine will periodically highlight American-born players. In our most recent discussion we talk with Philadelphia Flyers forward R.J. Umberger.&nbsp;</em></p>
<p><span class="inline inline-left"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/465507736.preview.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-preview " width="525" height="350" /></span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;A former first round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2001, R.J. Umberger is currently a forward with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Pittsburgh native spent the first three seasons of his career (2005-08) with the Flyers before lacing up the skates with the Columbus Blue Jackets for six seasons. The three-year standout at The Ohio State University tallied 58 goals and 71 assists in 112 games during his college hockey career.</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p class="p1"><strong>When did you first start playing organized hockey in Pennsylvania? How were you introduced to the sport? &nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">I played my first game when I was seven years old. I was introduced by watching the Pittsburgh Penguins on TV and wanted to try playing the sport.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p2">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Was there a youth hockey coach or two who had a big impact on you and helped instill a love of the game?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Jim Lilja was the coach who had the biggest impact on me as a kid. He coached me for four years of AAA travel hockey for the Pittsburgh Hornets.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p2">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Did you play any other sports growing up? If so, how did they help you become the player you are today?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">I played baseball and football also. They helped me develop my eye-hand coordination and speed. By playing other sports I was able to work on all athletic skills.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p2">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>When did you finally realize you wanted to commit to hockey full time? What was it about hockey that appealed to you?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">When I was 16 I got invited to play at the U.S. National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.&nbsp; I loved the speed of the game.</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Which one or two players did you look up to in the NHL when you were a young kid? Anyone in particular you tried to model your game after? What was it about their game that you liked so much?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I idolized Mario Lemieux growing up because he dominated the game and he won 2 Stanley Cups while I was a kid growing up in Pittsburgh. I didn&rsquo;t try to model my game around anyone in particular; I just always tried to be the best player I could be.&nbsp;</span></p>
<table style="width: 225px; height: 600px;" border="0" cellspacing="20" cellpadding="20" align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"></span><br />
<h2 style="line-height: 17.0999984741211px; font-size: 11px;">ICE CHIPS<br /></h2>
<h5 style="line-height: 17.0999984741211px; font-size: 11px;"><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/465539940.img_assist_custom-280x420.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-280x420 " width="280" height="420" /></span><br /></h5>
<h5><strong><br />Favorite Music:</strong>&nbsp;Country<br /></h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Movie:&nbsp;</strong><em>Good Will Hunting</em></h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Book:&nbsp;</strong><em>Angels and Demons</em></h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Quote:</strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I&rsquo;ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I&rsquo;ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I&rsquo;ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.&rdquo; &ndash; Michael Jordan</span>&nbsp;<br /></h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite TV show:</strong>&nbsp;<em>Sons of Anarchy</em><br /></h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Place to Visit:</strong>&nbsp;Hilton Head Island and Hawaii&nbsp;</h5>
<h5><strong>iPhone or Android:&nbsp;</strong>iPhone&nbsp;</h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Form of Social Media:&nbsp;</strong>Twitter</h5>
<h5><strong>Favorite Offseason Hobby:&nbsp;</strong>Golf</h5>
<div></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">What made attending The Ohio State University a more attractive option versus the major junior route? What do you remember most from those years playing college hockey?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">As long as I can remember I knew I always wanted to play college hockey and earning a degree was always something I wanted to achieve.&nbsp; I remember all the fun times and friendships I made with my teammates during my three years of college hockey.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>During the most recent NHL lockout, you returned to the OSU campus and helped coach the Buckeyes. What was that experience like, and did viewing the game from that perspective help you in any way as a player? &nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">It was a lot of fun to be a part of the OSU Hockey program in a close way again. I enjoyed seeing the game from a different perspective but learned how hard it is to coach and not be able to physically go out on the ice and make a difference in the game.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>How much have small area games been incorporated into your practices at both the collegiate and professional level? What types of skills have you taken away from those situations? &nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Small area 2 on 2&rsquo;s and 3 on 3&rsquo;s are pretty common at both levels. They help you develop your puck handling skills and ability to make plays in tight areas.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>What is the coolest perk about playing in the NHL?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Traveling to all the different cities and eating at nice restaurants.</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>You played for the Blue Jackets for six seasons in Columbus. What was it like playing in a smaller, non-traditional hockey market versus Philadelphia, where you&rsquo;ve been for the other five years of your career? How did you see the team&rsquo;s following change over that time?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p class="p1">I enjoyed playing in Columbus a lot especially since I am an Ohio State graduate. The fans in Columbus are passionate and very loyal to their team. It was extremely evident in the first round of the playoffs last year vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. The city was crazy and the arena was one of the loudest I have ever heard. &nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>At some point, there will be a life after hockey for every professional &mdash; any thoughts as to what you&rsquo;d like to do 10-15 years down the road? Coach? Broadcast booth? Business?&nbsp;</strong></p>
<p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Coaching is something I would be interested in doing.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-thumbnail">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/Umberger_a-few-minutes-q-and-a-slider.thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-thumbnail " width="100" height="60" /></span></p>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/few-minutes-rj-umberger#commentsNational Hockey LeagueNHLOhio StatePhiladelphia FlyersR.J. UmbergerOnline Bonus ContentWed, 11 Mar 2015 20:54:05 +0000admin11285 at http://www.usahockeymagazine.comR.J. Umbergerhttp://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/2010-06/rj-umberger
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-subhead">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
Umberger’s Blue Collar Effort On The Ice Born In Steel City </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-author-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
By:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/author/amy-gostkowski">Amy Gostkowski</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-text field-field-article-content">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<p><span class="inline inline-right"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/RJ-Umberger-5.img_assist_custom-360x549.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-360x549 " width="359" height="549" /></span>In Pittsburgh, it&rsquo;s hard not to be touched in some way by the legend of Mario Lemieux, who brought back-to-back Stanley Cup championships to the Steel City and inspired a generation of hockey players in his wake.</p>
<p>One such player was R.J. Umberger, a Pittsburgh native who made his first visit to an ice rink after watching Lemieux and the Penguins on television.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I was 6 years old and my parents took me to a local ice rink to try public skating,&rdquo; Umberger recalled. &ldquo;I liked it, and from the first moment I just wanted to try playing hockey.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Following his Penguins, Umberger skated around Pittsburgh until half way through his high school career when he joined USA Hockey&rsquo;s National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Mich.</p>
<p>Umberger joined the NTDP in 1998 and spent the next two years honing his skills competing against top-flight talent both at home and abroad.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It was great for me; it helped me develop as a young kid, both on and off the ice, maturity-wise,&rdquo; Umberger said. &ldquo;It opened up all the doors that led to my future career, and I had had all the possibilities because of that program.&rdquo;</p>
<table style="width: 250px;" border="0" cellspacing="20" cellpadding="20" align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<h3 class="feature_headline_smaller">R.J. Umberger | #18<br /></h3>
<h3 class="feature_headline_smaller"><span class="inline inline-none"><img src="http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/sites/default/files/images/RJ-Umberger-Mug.img_assist_custom-150x150.jpg" alt="" title="" class="image image-img_assist_custom-150x150 " width="150" height="150" /></span><br /></h3>
<p class="textlinkblack"><strong>Position:</strong> Left Wing<br /><strong>Shoots:</strong> Left<br /><strong>Height:</strong> 6-foot-2<br /><strong>Weight:</strong> 219 pounds<br /><strong>Birthdate: </strong>May 3, 1982<br /><strong>Hometown:</strong> Pittsburgh, PA<br /><strong>College: </strong>The Ohio State University<br /><strong>USA Hockey History: </strong><br />&bull; National Team Development Program <br />&bull; (1998-00), U.S. National Under-18 Team<br />&bull; (1999-01), U.S. National Junior Team (2001, 2002), <br />&bull; 2006 U.S. National Team</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>One of those possibilities was an education at The Ohio State University. In his freshman season Umberger tallied 14 goals and 37 points in 32 games and was named the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year. He also continued to skate for Team USA in the IIHF World Under-18 and World Junior Championships. </p>
<p>Umberger&rsquo;s skill and experience caught the eye of then Vancouver Canucks General Manager Brian Burke, who chose him in the first round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.</p>
<p>Umberger continued as a Buckeye for two more seasons, finishing with 26 goals and 27 assists in 43 games during the 2002-03 season, and five points in the 2002 IIHF World Junior Championship. However, when it came time to take his place with the Canucks the path to the NHL was littered with roadblocks.</p>
<p>Umberger was unable to reach a contract agreement with the Canucks and was forced to sit out the 2003-04 season to obtain free agent status. Rather than get rusty during his time off, Umberger returned to where it all began.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I went back and skated with [the NTDP] for half a year, just practice to stay on the ice and stay fresh in case something got worked out,&rdquo; said Umberger who spent some of the time training with his cousin, Scott. &ldquo;They allowed me to come back and stay with them so it was fun for me.&rdquo;</p>
<p>In March 2004 Umberger was traded to the New York Rangers and signed on with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent a few months later. Unfortunately, he never got to touch the ice as the NHL lockout canceled the 2004-05 season. Instead he skated for the Philadelphia Phantoms of the American Hockey League. </p>
<p>A few games into the 2005-06 season Umberger was called up to play with the Flyers. For Umberger and his family of life-long Penguins fans, playing for Philadelphia tested NHL loyalties.</p>
<p>&ldquo;It was definitely strange for all my friends and family; they&rsquo;d choose sides,&rdquo; Umberger said. &ldquo;My family would obviously choose my side, but friends would always say they hope I score and that the Penguins win.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Umberger spent three seasons with the Flyers, tallying 49 goals and 67 assists before being traded to the Blue Jackets in 2008. That fall Umberger made his return to the city of Columbus. Now in his second season with the team, Umberger feels at home.</p>
<p>&ldquo;Because I went to Ohio State, it&rsquo;s so much fun for me. I love the city of Columbus,&rdquo; Umberger said. &ldquo;I have numerous friends and teammates that still live there.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Though content to play and raise his daughter Brienna in Columbus, Umberger can&rsquo;t help but think what it would be like to play for his hometown team. </p>
<p>&ldquo;If someday before I retire I get to play a year [in Pittsburgh] or something, it would be a lot of fun,&rdquo; Umberger said. &ldquo;Right now I&rsquo;m enjoying my time here.&rdquo;</p>
<div class="image-clear"></div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field-type-nodereference field-field-issue-ref">
<div class="field-items">
<div class="field-item odd">
<div class="field-label-inline-first">
Issue:&nbsp;</div>
<a href="/issue/2010-06">2010-06</a> </div>
</div>
</div>
http://www.usahockeymagazine.com/article/2010-06/rj-umberger#commentsColumbus Blue JacketsNTDPOhio StateR.J. UmbergerFirst LinersTue, 15 Jun 2010 21:57:33 +0000admin2834 at http://www.usahockeymagazine.com